I'm new to this forum but have fished quite a bit over the years but mostly from the shore, Now that I have more time but bad knees, I'm looking for some good ideas for a bass boat for the smaller lakes and from what I've seen on the Virginia IGF site, it looks like I need to keep the motor to less than 10 HP and for some lakes, be able to remove it altogether. I'm looking at fishing such lakes as Briery Creek Lake and Lake Orange among a few other area lakes. I looked at a few boats today but they were 10-11K and had 20-30 HP motors. More than I need. I'm thinking with the knees I need to be seated most of the time and the elevated decks are probably not a good option at this time. I could always add this myself later if the knees get replaced. But I guess what I'm looking at is what would be considered a good starter boat for the wife and I? I already know less than 10 HP and padded seats would certainly be a wanted option as well as a good electric trolling motor but foot controlled or not, live well and so on, not so clear.

I'd consider a used rig but am weary of the motors. Buying a used car I can have a mechanic check it out but who checks out used boats and do people selling them even allow this? As you can see, I'm as new to this aspect as a new born. I don't mind paying a fair price for a good rig but fear being ripped off.

Any suggestions certainly welcomed.

I think "small" is pretty relative term, but I can definitely recommend my little Bass Raider by Pelican with a 40-55hp electric trolling motor. My whole setup (minus attachments and fun stuff) only cost me like $850, and it gets around our little lakes very well.  It's not a big boat at all, so most everything is in reach from where I'm sitting, but I like it that way.

Sippi

Hey Sippi, I reallllly would like to go for a ride n that Bass Raider with the 40-55 hp elect TM Aww ferget it Ijust want to see a 40- 55 hp TM.

Jus pullin your chain

Nick O

id check these guys out since your in scottsville

http://www.jamesriverjets.com/

and you can get a 9.9 kicker for when you got to briery or sandy...

^I have a friend who has a boat made by James River Jets. He has been very happy with it. He tells me the owner has a very good reputation for great service.

Hey Sippi, I reallllly would like to go for a ride n that Bass Raider with the 40-55 hp elect TM Aww ferget it Ijust want to see a 40- 55 hp TM.

Jus pullin your chain

Nick O

LOL, mebbe I got it wrong =/ what kind of hp/whatever would you say it is?

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/trolling_motors/freshwater_transom_mount/endura.aspx

Sippi

just get on craigslist.com in your area and you'll find something nice, we got our 14ft jon boat with a trailer for 300.   my brother got a twelve ft jon boat with seats and motor for 300.   i thought the biggest gas motor you could run at briery was 9.5hp.   if that's the case than you dont need a 20-30hp motor.  we've got a 6 hp johnson that works well enough for our boat.